Yosemite National Park Now Closed After Massive Snow Fall

Yosemite National Park has been closed indefinitely due to receiving as much as 15 feet of snow in some parts. This blanket of white buried nearly everything.

According to the National Park Service, the park was closed to the public on February 25, after massive snowfall.

"Yosemite has experienced significant snowfall in all areas of the park, with snow up to 15 feet deep in some areas," the NPS tweeted. "Park crews are working to restore critical services so visitors can safely return. There is no estimated date for reopening."

According to ABC News, the closure was caused by a major winter storm that brought snowstorm conditions to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. People were forced to leave their homes due to the high snowfall. The NPS also noted that the snow-covered almost three-quarters of the park's entrance.

According to ABC News, approximately 109 inches of snow fell in Soda Springs (CA), which is located about 200 miles north of Yosemite.

Yosemite isn't the only one to close the park. Both Yosemite National Forest and Yosemite were forced to close their parks last summer by wildfires. The Mariposa Grove in Yosemite was reopened just a few short weeks later.

Yosemite is not the only one dealing with weather-related closures. Yellowstone National Park was hit hard by flooding last year. There were several roads collapsed, leading officials to question whether large areas of the park would reopen. The NPS announced that the park would be reopened to the public in large parts within weeks.

Although Yosemite is not the most pleasant time to visit, winter can be a challenge. However, this time of year is also the best for wildlife spotting and smaller crowds. February is the only month that you can see Horsetail Falls' "Firefall" phenomenon. This is when Horsetail Fall glows like it's on fire, and is visible only in February.

 

Source: travelandleisure.com